Laundry system including home terminal device and laundry apparatus with communicating function

ABSTRACT

A laundry system ( 1 ) includes a home terminal device ( 3 ) and laundry apparatus ( 4 ). The terminal device includes a first short-range communication device ( 8 ), a long-range communication device ( 7 ), and a terminal device controller ( 9 ) transmitting information about laundry and information about a laundry constraint to a server ( 2 ) connected to an Internet ( 5 ), thereby obtaining an operation control program for the laundry apparatus. The terminal device controller transfers the obtained operation control program via the first short-range communication device to the laundry apparatus and receives via the first short-range communication device information about an operating state of the laundry apparatus. The laundry apparatus includes a second short-range communication device ( 15 ), a laundry apparatus controller ( 17 ), and a laundry unit ( 16 ). The laundry apparatus controller receives the operation control program via the second short-range communication device from the terminal device to control the laundry unit and transfers the information about the operating state of the laundry apparatus via the second short-range communication device to the terminal device.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a laundry system including a home terminaldevice communicating via an Internet or the like with a server storingand providing a database which is a large collection of data of optimumoperating conditions for laundry apparatus and a laundry apparatuscommunicating with the terminal device.

BACKGROUND ART

Almost all the conventional laundry apparatus such as automatic washingand drying combination machines, automatic washing machines andautomatic dryers include respective microcomputers for controllingoperations of the laundry apparatus. Each such microcomputer includes amemory on which a multiple of operation control programs correspondingto a multiple of operating (or washing and/or drying) conditions arepreviously stored. When a user operates an operation panel to setdesired operating conditions prior to the start of laundry, an operationcontrol program corresponding to the set operating conditions is readout from the memory, and the operation of the laundry apparatus iscontrolled on the basis of the read operation control program.

Recently, various types of clothes have been produced using varioustypes of fibers and the number of types of detergents have also beenincreased. With increase in the types of fibers and detergents, usershave had difficulties in setting optimum operating conditions suitablefor the various conditions. As a result, unsuitable operating conditionshave been set in the laundry apparatus, whereupon the laundry undergoesdamage and/or shrinkage or results in inconveniences such as allergy.

Furthermore, in the foregoing case where the memory provided in thelaundry apparatus previously stores the multiple of operation controlprograms, it is difficult to add a new operation control programcorresponding to new clothes woven of a new fiber or to new types ofdetergents.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a laundrysystem in which an optimum operating condition determined inconsideration of types of clothes, types of detergents, etc. can be setwithout the user relying upon his or her experiences and intuition andlaundry can be carried out under a set optimum operating condition.

The laundry system of the present invention operates on the premise thata server exists which provides laundry control information and stores adatabase storing and providing various pieces of information aboutlaundry such as types of clothes, types of detergents, possiblecombinations of types of clothes and detergents, and an operationcontrol program of the laundry apparatus to realize an optimum operationcorresponding to the foregoing combination.

The present invention provides a laundry system comprising a terminaldevice and laundry apparatus. The terminal device includes a displaypanel, input panel, first short-range communication device, long-rangecommunication device, and terminal device controller. The terminaldevice controller controls the input panel and the display panel. Theterminal device controller further controls the long-range communicationdevice to transmit an inquiry via the long-range communication networksuch as the Internet or wireless telephone to the server and to receivea reply to the inquiry. The terminal device controller further controlsthe first short-range communication device to transmit necessaryinformation to the laundry apparatus by means of Bluetooth wirelesscommunication or a short-range communication network such as wirelessLAN and to receive information about an operating state of the laundryapparatus.

The laundry apparatus includes an operation panel, a second short-rangecommunication device, a laundry apparatus controller and a laundry(washing and/or drying) unit. The laundry apparatus controller receivesthe operation control program via the second short-range communicationdevice from the terminal device thereby to control the laundry unit sothat laundry is washed and/or dried. The laundry apparatus controllerfurther transmits the information about the operating state of thelaundry apparatus via the second short-range communication device to theterminal device.

The user operates the input panel of the terminal device to input a typeof clothes, a type of detergent to be used, a desired incidentalcondition (laundry option), etc. The terminal device transmits inputconditions to the server and receives an optimum operation controlprogram meeting the conditions from the server. The terminal devicefurther transmits the received program to the laundry apparatuscontroller. The laundry apparatus controller controls the laundry unitaccording to the received operation control program so that clothes arewashed and/or dried. The laundry apparatus controller further transmitsthe information about the operating state of the laundry apparatus andresults of operation to the terminal device. Thus, washing and/or dryingthe laundry is carried out as the result of the foregoing operation.Consequently, the user can get an optimum result of laundry for theclothes with an easy operation without relying upon his or herexperiences and intuition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the laundry system of one embodiment inaccordance with the present invention, together with a server;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a terminal device;

FIG. 3 illustrates a case where the terminal device is used as common tovarious household electric appliances;

FIG. 4 illustrates an operation panel of a laundry apparatus;

FIG. 5 illustrates a menu screen of the terminal device;

FIG. 6 illustrates a “washing service” screen which is a menu screen forthe laundry system;

FIG. 7 illustrates a “washing navigation” screen which is a list ofmajor group clothes;

FIG. 8 illustrates a “bedding and bulk” screen which is a list of minorgroup clothes;

FIG. 9 illustrates a “washing curtain” screen corresponding to a“curtain” which is one of the minor group clothes;

FIGS. 10A and 10B show an operation control program corresponding to“bedding and bulk” which is a list of minor group clothes;

FIGS. 11A and 11B show an operation control program corresponding to“everyday clothes” which is one of the minor group clothes;

FIG. 12 shows a screen of “under transmission”;

FIG. 13 shows a screen indicative of “to those who are allergic (a topicetc.)”;

FIG. 14 shows a screen indicative of “setting of atopy care has beencompleted”;

FIG. 15 shows a screen indicative of “about used detergent”;

FIG. 16 shows a screen indicative of “under use of powdered syntheticdetergent”;

FIG. 17 shows a screen indicative of “setting of detergent used has beencompleted”;

FIG. 18 shows a screen indicative of “case where noise-reduced operationis desired”;

FIG. 19 shows a screen indicative of “noise-reduced course has beenset”;

FIG. 20 shows a screen indicative of “operating state of laundryapparatus”;

FIG. 21 shows a screen indicative of “en route alteration of operationcontents”;

FIG. 22 shows a screen indicative of “clothes allowed to be added”;

FIG. 23 shows a screen indicative of “everyday clothes allowed to beadded”;

FIG. 24 shows a screen indicative of “standby state of laundryapparatus”;

FIG. 25 shows a screen indicative of “alteration of operationalcontents”;

FIG. 26 shows a screen indicative of “confirmation of desired time”; and

FIG. 27 shows a screen indicative of “caution”.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention will be described with referenceto the accompanying drawings. Referring to FIG. 1, an overall hardwarearrangement of a laundry system 1 in accordance with the invention isshown as connected via the Internet to a server 2 providing laundrycontrol information. The laundry system 1 comprises a home terminaldevice 3 and a laundry apparatus 4. The laundry system 1 operates on thepremise that the server 2 has already been established. The server 2 isconnected to a long-range communication network such as an Internet 5 orwireless telephone network. The server 2 is provided with a laundrycontrol information database (hereinafter, “database”) storingcomprehensive information about laundry general and control of laundryapparatus. The database comprises a relational database, for example andis managed by a relational database management system (RDBMS). Whenreceiving an inquiry about laundry from the terminal device 3, theserver 2 retrieves the database to extract a reply from the database bymeans of RDBMS, providing the reply to the terminal device 3, as will bedescribed later.

The database stores information about types of clothes and used fibers,information about detergents, combined information about types ofclothes and types of detergents allowed to be used, combined informationabout clothes unsuitable for washing them with other types of clothes,information about preparation prior to laundry, information aboutnotices regarding laundry, information about allergy to detergent,information about clothes allowed to be added during washing,information about optimum laundry conditions corresponding to clothesand detergents to be used, an optimum operation control program oflaundry apparatus corresponding to each laundry condition, and anoperation control program for an operation with noise reduction.Installation of the server 2 and renewal of database are usually carriedout by a manufacturer of the laundry apparatus.

The terminal device 3 includes a display panel 6 a, an input panel 6 b,a long-range communication device 7, a first short-range communicationdevice 8 and a terminal device controller 9. The long-rangecommunication device 7 accesses the server 2 via a long-rangecommunication network such as the Internet 5 or a wireless telephonenetwork. The first short-range communication device 8 transmits andreceives information to and from the laundry apparatus 4 via ashort-range communication network such as wireless communication bymeans of Bluetooth or wireless LAN.

The display panel 6 a and the input panel 6 b serve as a man-machineinterface between the terminal device 3 and the user. Referring to FIG.2, the terminal device 3 includes a liquid-crystal touch panel 6 servingboth as the display panel 6 a and as the input panel 6 b. The terminaldevice 3 further includes a “power” switch 11 and a “home” switch 12which is operated to call a menu screen of the terminal device 5.

The terminal device controller 9 controls the overall terminal device 3.Since the single terminal device 3 incorporates a microcomputer (notshown), it may serve for other household control systems such as arefrigerator system, microwave oven system, air-conditioner system aswell as for the laundry system 4. Furthermore, the single terminaldevice 3 may serve for a plurality of laundry systems. FIG. 3schematically illustrates a case where the terminal device is used ascommon to various household electric appliances. Additionally, theterminal device 3 may have an e-mail function.

The laundry apparatus 4 may be an automatic washer-drier, automaticwashing machine, automatic drier, etc. The laundry apparatus 4 is anautomatic washer-drier in the embodiment. Where the laundry apparatus 4is applied to an automatic washing machine or an automatic drier, one ormore unnecessary functions may be eliminated from those of the apparatus4 which will hereinafter be described. The laundry apparatus 4 comprisesan operation panel 14 including a display section 14 a and an inputsection 14 b, a short-range communication device 15, a laundry (washingand/or drying) unit 16 and a laundry apparatus controller 17. Thelaundry unit 16 is directly related to clothes washing and dryingoperations and comprises various sensors 16 a, a drum motor 16 b, awater-supply valve 16 c, a drain valve 16 d, a fan motor 16 e, a warmair heater 16 f, a drum (not shown), a water-supply hose, etc. Varioussensors 16 a include a water-level sensor, a temperature sensor and aweight sensor. The short-range communication device 15 is provided forcommunication with the terminal device 3.

The laundry apparatus controller 17 includes a microcomputer (not shown)and controls an overall operation of the laundry apparatus 4. Theoperation panel 14 serves as a man-machine interface between theterminal device 3 and the user. The laundry apparatus 4 is arranged sothat a user can directly set laundry conditions on the operation panel14 for the running of the laundry apparatus 4 when no terminal device 3is provided or when the terminal device 3 has failed.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the operation panel 14 of the laundry apparatus4 is shown. The operation panel 14 includes a wash time setting switch19, a rinse setting switch 20, a dehydration time setting switch 21, adrying time setting switch 22, a reservation setting switch 23, a hotwater setting switch 24, a course setting switch 25, a drying settingswitch 26, a bathwater setting switch 27, all of which are provided forsetting laundry conditions, and a power switch 28 and a start switch 29.

The operation panel 14 includes a wash time display 30, a rinse timedisplay 31, a dehydration time display 32, a drying time display 33, awash step display 34, a rinse step display 35, a dehydration stepdisplay 36, a drying step display 37, a display 38 for a remaining timeor detergent quantity, a display 39 for various courses, an internetcourse display 40 displaying that the operation is based on theoperation control program from the server 2, and a “communication”display 41 displaying that the laundry apparatus 4 is undercommunication with the terminal device 3, all of which display theoperating state of the laundry apparatus.

The operation of the laundry system 1 will now be described. When theuser turns on the power switch 11 of the terminal device 3, the terminaldevice controller 9 displays a screen as shown in FIG. 5 on the touchpanel 6. A terminal menu screen 42 is displayed on a section E. Variousscreens are displayed on the section E of the touch panel 6. The portionof the touch panel 6 other than the section E is a fixed screen which isnot switched and is not directly related with the operation of thelaundry system except for the upper monitor switch s51. The screen asshown in FIG. 5 can be re-displayed every time the switch 12 as shown inFIG. 2 is touched during an ON-state of the power supply of the terminaldevice 3. Furthermore, the terminal menu screen 42 can also bere-displayed every time a menu switch s52 is touched.

The terminal menu screen 42 displayed on the section E as shown in FIG.5 is used commonly as terminal devices of other systems. Accordingly,switches and displays for the other systems are provided. The terminalmenu screen 42 includes a washing service switch s53 and a display d53both related with the laundry system 1.

The user firstly touches the “washing service” switch s53 in order thatthe washing may be started. Then, the terminal device controller 9obtains from the server 2 a “washing service” screen 43 as shown in FIG.6, displaying the screen on the section E of the touch pane 16. The“washing service” screen 43 corresponds to a menu screen of the laundrysystem 1. Menus of the laundry system 1 include a first menu of “servicefor transmission of operation contents suitable for laundry,” a secondmenu of “to those who are allergic (atopic etc.),” a third menu of“about used detergent” and a fourth menu of “when noise-reducedoperation is desired.” Switches s61 to s64 and displays d61 to d64 areprovided so as to correspond to the menus respectively.

The contents of each menu will now be described. The first menu isprovided for designating clothes to be washed, obtaining an optimumoperation control program for the clothes, and transmitting the programto the laundry apparatus 4. The other three menus are provided fordesignating constraints necessary when the server 2 retrieves anddetermines optimum operating conditions. The constraints willhereinafter be referred to as “laundry constraints.”

Firstly, the operation will be described in a case where no laundryconstraints are designated. The user first touches the switch s61corresponding to the menu, “service for transmission of operationcontents suitable for laundry.” The terminal device controller 9 thenobtains a “washing navigation” screen 44 as shown in FIG. 7 from theserver 2, displaying the screen on the touch panel 6. The “washingnavigation” screen 44 provides major groups of clothes to be washed. Thescreen 44 in FIG. 7 exemplifies eight major groups corresponding torespective switches s71 to s78 and respective display sections d71 tod78. The user selects one of the major groups to which clothes to bewashed belong, touching a switch corresponding to the selected majorgroup. For example, when the user touches the switch s74 correspondingto the major group of “bedding and bulk,” the terminal device controller9 obtains from the server 2 a screen 45 indicative of minor groupscorresponding to the selected major group, displaying the obtainedscreen on the touch panel 6 as shown in FIG. 8 exemplifying a case wherethe selected major group includes eight minor groups corresponding torespective switches s81 to s88 and respective display sections d81 tod88.

The user then selects one of the eight minor groups displayed on thescreen 45, touching a switch corresponding to the selected minor group.For example, when a “curtain” switch s85 has been selected, the terminaldevice controller 9 obtains from the server 2 a screen 46 of “curtainwashing” corresponding to the minor group of “curtain,” displaying theobtained screen 46 on the touch panel 6 as shown in FIG. 9. The “curtainwashing” screen 46 displays guide information containing notices,preparation, recommended detergent, etc. Thus, the screen 46 serves as aguide-information screen providing guide information regarding washingof the selected minor group. A “reserved course” switch s92 is providedon the lower part of the screen 46. When the switch s92 is touched, ascreen (not shown) on which a desired finish time is set is displayed.When the finish time is set, a start time of the laundry apparatus 4 isautomatically adjusted so that the operation of the laundry apparatus isfinished at the set finish time.

The user then touches a “transmission” switch s93 on the “curtainwashing” screen 46 after completion of setting regarding the clothes tobe washed. The terminal device controller 9 then transmits informationof the selected major and minor groups to the server 2 using thelong-range communication device 7. The server 2 retrieves from thedatabase an optimum operation control program corresponding to theclothes of the received minor group, transmitting the program to theterminal device controller 9. FIGS. 10A, 10B, 11A and 11B illustrateexamples of operation control programs the server 2 transmits to theterminal device controller 9 respectively. FIGS. 10A and 10B illustratean operation control program for all the clothes of the minor groupbelonging to the major group of “bedding and bulk.” FIGS. 11A and 11Billustrate an operation control program for all the minor group clothesbelonging to the major group of “everyday clothes.”However, only anoperation control program for the selected clothes of the minor group isactually transmitted. Accordingly, when “curtain” has been selected,only the washing conditions for “curtain” in FIGS. 10A and 10B aretransmitted to the terminal device controller 9.

Each of FIGS. 10A, 10B, 11A and 11B includes one or more minor groups ineach of which two operation control programs are prepared depending uponthe weight of clothes. Regarding these minor groups, two operationcontrol programs are transmitted to the laundry apparatus 4. The weightsensor of the laundry apparatus 4 measures the weight of the clothes putinto the laundry apparatus. Which of the two programs is employed isdetermined on the basis of the result of measurement. The terminaldevice controller 9 temporarily stores the received operation controlprogram for “curtain” in an internal memory and then displays majorgroups of the received operation control program on an operationcondition display section d91 of the screen 46 of “curtain washing.”

The terminal control device 9 then displays a screen 47 of “undertransmission” as shown in FIG. 12 on the touch panel 6. The screen 47urges the user to turn on the laundry apparatus and to depress the startswitch 29. Power is supplied to all the devices of the laundry apparatus4 when the user depresses the ON switch 28 a of the power switch 28,following the instructions of the screen 47. The laundry apparatuscontroller 17 informs the terminal control device 9 of turn-on of thelaundry apparatus 4, using the short-range communication device 15. Inthis case, it is preferable to inform of the type name and type numberof the laundry apparatus as well as turn-on of the laundry apparatus.When receiving the information of turn-on of the laundry apparatus 4,the terminal control device 9 transmits an operation control program forthe stored minor group of “curtain” to the laundry apparatus 4.

The laundry apparatus controller 17 transmits the received operationcontrol program to the operation panel 14 as shown in FIG. 4. Followingthe contents of the operation control program, the controller 17 turnson the corresponding ones of the display sections d30 to d40 of theoperation panel 14 or displays numerals on the corresponding displaysections.

When the user depresses the start switch 29 in the aforesaid condition,the controller 17 starts controlling the laundry unit 16 on the basis ofthe received operation control program, so that a wash step isinitiated. However, when a desired finish time has been set by the useof a “reserved course” switch 92 a as described above, an actual startof the operation is delayed to a time obtained by subtracting a requiredlaundry time period from the desired finish time.

The following describes a case where laundry is initiated with thelaundry constraints designated. Firstly, a case will be described wherethe menu of “to those who are allergic (atopic etc.)” has been selectedon the “washing service” screen 43 (menu screen of laundry system 1) asshown in FIG. 6. When the user touches the switch s62, the terminalcontrol device 9 obtains the screen 48 of “to those who are allergic(atopic etc.)” as shown in FIG. 13 from the server 2, displaying theobtained screen on the touch panel 6. Pieces of guide information suchas “why atopy occurs,” “way of preventing atopy,” etc. are displayed onan upper part of the screen 48. A lower part of the screen 48 isprovided with a LINK 1 switch s131 and a LINK 2 switch s132. When eachswitch is touched, more detailed guide information about atopy isobtained from the server 2 to be displayed on the touch panel 6.

A central part of the screen 48 is provided with an “atopy care” switchs133 and a corresponding display section d133. The switch s133 isselected when the user desires a washing manner which tends not to causeatopy. A constraint of “atopy care” is set and the terminal controller 9stores information that the constraint of “atopy care” has been set. Atthe same time, a screen 49 of “setting for atopy care has beencompleted” as shown in FIG. 14 is displayed, displaying that settingconstraint of “atopy” care has been completed. When the aforesaid“transmission” switch s93 is touched with the constraint of “atopy care”set, the terminal controller 9 transmits to the server 2 informationthat the constraint of “atopy care” (when constraints of “setting ofused detergent” and “noise-reduced course” have been set as will bedescribed later, these pieces of information are included) has been setin addition to information about selected major and minor groups. Whenretrieving from the data base an optimum operation control programcorresponding to the received minor group of clothes, the server 2retrieves and determines an optimum operation control program inconsideration of the set constraint of “atopy care” (when constraints of“setting of used detergent” and “noise-reduced course” have been set,these pieces of information are included), then transmitting it to theterminal controller 9. When the option of “atopy care” is set, anoperation control program retrieved and determined contains a largernumber of times of rinsing and a larger amount of water than when theoption of “atopy care” is not set.

Next, a case will be described where the menu of “about used detergent”has been selected on the washing service screen 43 (menu screen oflaundry system 1) as shown in FIG. 6. When the user touches the switchs63, the terminal controller 9 obtains the screen 50 of “about useddetergent” as shown in FIG. 15 from the server 2, displaying theobtained screen on the touch panel 6. Pieces of guide information suchas “types of detergents, detergent usable for home laundry,” etc. aredisplayed on an upper part of the screen 50. A lower part of the screen50 is provided with a LINK 1 switch s156, a LINK 2 switch s157 and aLINK 3 switch s158. When each switch is touched, more detailed guideinformation about used detergent is obtained from the server 2 to bedisplayed on the touch panel 6.

The screen 50 includes in its central part a “powdered syntheticdetergent” switch s151, “liquid synthetic detergent” switch s152,“liquid soap” switch s153, “liquid detergent” switch s154 and “liquidneutral detergent” switch s155 all representative of detergent types andcorresponding display sections d151 to d155 respectively. When desiringa washing manner according to a used detergent, the user selects one ofthe five types of detergents, depressing the corresponding switch. Forexample, when the user selects the “powdered synthetic detergent” andtouches the switch s151, the terminal controller 9 obtains from theserver 2 a screen 52 of “case where powdered synthetic detergent isused” as shown in FIG. 16, displaying the obtained screen on the touchpanel 6.

Guide information of “notices of use” is displayed on an upper part ofthe screen 51. A lower part of the screen 51 is provided with a switchs161 for setting control for operation with use of powdered syntheticdetergent and a corresponding display section d161. The user selects theswitch s161 when a powdered synthetic detergent is used. The terminalcontroller 9 then stores information that “use of powdered syntheticdetergent” has been set as a constraint of “set of used detergent.” Atthe same time, a screen 53 of “setting of used detergent has beencompleted” as shown in FIG. 17 is displayed, displaying that settingconstraint of “setting of used detergent” has been completed. When theaforesaid “transmission” switch s93 is touched with the constraint of“set of used detergent” set, the terminal controller 9 transmits to theserver 2 information that the constraint of “powdered syntheticdetergent is used” (when constraints of aforesaid “atopy care” and“noise-reduced course” have been set, these pieces of information areincluded) has been set as the constraint of “set of used detergent” inaddition to information about selected major and minor groups.

When retrieving from the data base an optimum operation control programcorresponding to the received minor group of clothes, the server 2retrieves and determines an optimum operation control program inconsideration of the set constraint of “powdered synthetic detergent isused” (when constraints of “atopy care” and “noise-reduced course” havebeen set, these pieces of information are included), then transmittingit to the terminal controller 9.

Next, a case will be described where the menu of “a case wherenoise-reduced operation is desired” has been selected on the washingservice screen 43 (menu screen of laundry system 1) as shown in FIG. 6.When the user touches the switch s64, the terminal controller 9 obtainsthe screen 54 of “a case where noise-reduced operation is desired” asshown in FIG. 18 from the server 2, displaying the obtained screen onthe touch panel 6. Guide information of “clothes which can be set”relating to the setting of constraints of “noise-reduced course” isdisplayed on an upper part of the screen 54. A lower part of the screen54 is provided with guide information of “notice.” A central part of thescreen 54 is provided with a “noise-reduced course” switch s181 forsetting an operation for a noise-reduced course and a correspondingdisplay section d181. The “noise-reduced course” denotes an operation ofthe laundry apparatus 4 with reduced noise. The switch s181 is selectedwhen the user desires a noise-reduced operation. The terminal controller9 then stores information that a constraint of “noise-reduced course”has been set. At the same time, a screen 55 of “setting of noise-reducedcourse has been completed” as shown in FIG. 19 is displayed, displayingthat setting the constraint of “noise-reduced course” has beencompleted. When the aforesaid “transmission” switch S93 is touched withthe constraint of “noise-reduced course” set, the terminal controller 9transmits to the server 2 information that the constraint of“noise-reduced course” (when constraints of aforesaid “atopy care” and“set of used detergent” have been set, these pieces of information areincluded) has been set in addition to information about selected majorand minor groups.

When retrieving from the data base an optimum operation control programcorresponding to the received minor group clothes, the server 2retrieves and determines an optimum operation control program inconsideration of the set constraint of “noise-reduced course” (whenconstraints of “atopy care” and “set of used detergent” have been set,these pieces of information are included), then transmitting it to theterminal controller 9. When the option of “noise-reduced course” is set,an operation control program retrieved and determined usually containsreduced speed of drum motor 16 b for rendering the washing time periodlonger than when the option of “noise-reduced course” is not set.

The following is the description of manipulation and operation forconfirming a current operation of the laundry apparatus 4, altering theoperation control program during execution thereof, and adding clothes.Each of these operations is initiated when a home appliance monitorswitch s51 on the terminal menu screen 42 as shown in FIG. 5 is touched.Upon touch with the monitor switch s51, the laundry apparatus controller17 is informed of the touch with the switch, then transmittinginformation about a current operating state of the laundry apparatus 4to the terminal controller 9. The information includes progress in thewashing and drying step, remaining time period to the completion ofoperation, set operation control program, etc.

Based on the received information, the terminal controller 9 displays anoperating state of the laundry apparatus 4 on the touch panel 6. Ascreen to be displayed differs between a case where the laundryapparatus 4 is in operation and a case where the laundry apparatus 4 ison standby for a reserved operation. When the laundry apparatus 4 is inoperation, an “operating state” screen 56 as shown in FIG. 20 isdisplayed. The screen 56 contains a step in execution, remaining timeperiod, and operation control program, etc. The screen 56 includes an“operation content altering” switch s202. When the switch s202 istouched, the terminal controller 9 displays an “operation contentaltering” screen 57 as shown in FIG. 21. An upper part of the screen 56includes a “wash” display section d211, “rinse” display section d212,“dehydration” display section d213, and “drying” display section d214.Each display section displays the content of the current operationcontrol program which is set in the laundry apparatus 4. Of thesedisplay sections d211 to d214, those displaying “automatic” refer toitems which cannot be altered enroute during operation. Switches s211 ato s214 a for increasing the displayed set values are provided to theright of the display sections respectively. Switches s211 b to s214 bfor decreasing the displayed set values are also provided to the rightof the display sections respectively. When desiring an alteration, theuser operates these switches so that the set values are changed and thena lower “transmission” switch s216 is touched. As a result, data of achanged set value is transmitted from the laundry apparatus controller17 of the laundry apparatus 4, whereby the operation control program isaltered. Information about the foregoing changeable and unchangeableitems is contained in the operation control program the terminalcontroller 9 receives from the server 2.

A case will then be described where the user has touched an “additionalclothes” switch s203 provided in the lower part of a “laundry apparatusoperating state” screen 56. In this case, the terminal controller 9displays an “additional clothes” screen 58 as shown in FIG. 22. Sincethe information on the screen 58 is also stored on the data base of theserver 2, the terminal controller 9 transmits to the server 2information about the major and minor group clothes under washing,receiving and displaying a reply. The “additional clothes” screen 58includes display sections d221 to d228 displaying additional clothes ofthe major group. The screen 58 has substantially the same arrangement asthe aforesaid clothes of the major group screen 44 (FIG. 7). The displaysections include those having bold names, that is, “everyday clothes”d221, “small articles” d226 and “children's clothing” d228. Thesedisplay sections d221, d226 and d228 indicate major groups of additionalclothes in this case. The other major groups whose names are shown voidindicate those which are unsuitable for additional clothes. Regardinginformation of the additional clothes of the major group, too, theterminal controller 9 transmits information of clothes (major and minorgroups) under processing to the server 2, receiving and displaying areply.

When desiring addition of clothes, the user selects and depresses amajor group of clothes to be added from the switches s221 to s228.Assume now that the user has touched the “everyday clothes” switch s221.The terminal controller 9 then displays a screen 59 of “additionaleveryday clothes” as shown in FIG. 23. The screen 59 includes displaysections d231 to d238 displaying minor classification clothescorresponding to the major group of “everyday clothes.” The displaysections d231 to d238 include those having bold names, that is, “shirt”d231, “T-shirt” S232, “socks” s233, “hand towel” s234, “bath towel” s235and “cotton socks” s237. The other display sections of minor groupshaving void names indicate those which are unsuitable for additionalclothes. Regarding information of the major groups of additionalclothes, too, the terminal controller 9 transmits information of clothes(major and minor groups) under processing to the server 2, receiving anddisplaying a reply.

The user touches and selects one or more minor group switches of theclothes which are desired to be added. The user then touches a“transmission” switch s239 located in a lower part of the screen 59. Theterminal controller 9 transmits to the server 2 information of major andminor groups of clothes which are desired to be added, information ofcurrently selected major and minor groups of clothes and information ofpreviously set constraints. The server 2 retrieves and composes a newoperation control program on the data base in view of theafore-mentioned pieces of information, then replying to the terminalcontroller 9. The terminal controller 9 transmits the received newoperation control program to the laundry apparatus 4. The laundryapparatus 4 is interrupted and substitutes the received new operationcontrol program for the previous one, thereafter restarting theoperation.

A “laundry apparatus standby state” screen 60 as shown in FIG. 24 isdisplayed when the laundry apparatus 4 is on standby upon touch with thehome appliance monitor switch s51. In a case where a desired finish timehas been set by the “reserved course” switch s92 on the screen as shownin FIG. 9, the laundry apparatus 4 is on standby when a start time isnot reached by reverse calculation using the desired finish time. On thescreen 60, an indication of “reserved operation finish time” d241 isdisplayed instead of an indication of “time left until operation finish”d201 displayed on the afore-mentioned “laundry apparatus operatingstate” screen 56 (FIG. 20). The “reserved operation finish time” refersto the above-described desired finish time.

The screen 60 is provided with a “reserved time/operational contentaltering” switch s241. When the switch s241 is touched, the terminalcontroller 9 displays an “operational content altering” screen 61 asshown in FIG. 25. The screen 61 is similar to the aforesaid “operationcontent altering” screen 57 (FIG. 21). The screen 60 includes upper fourdisplay sections d251 to d254 indicating items of “wash,” “rinse,”“dehydration” and “drying” and corresponding switches s251 a to s254 aand s251 b to s252 b respectively. The display sections and switcheshave substantially the same functions as those of the screen 57.

The centrally located “alteration in the reserved time” display sectiond255 of the screen 60 displays a set desired finish time. When the userdesires an alteration, a time increment switch s255 a or a timedecrement switch s255 b is operated so that the time is changed to a newone. The lower “transmission” switch 257 is then touched. The terminalcontroller 9 obtains a start time by reverse calculation on the basis ofthe changed desired time and then checks if the current time has notpassed the start time. When the current time has passed the start time,a “desired time confirmation” screen 62 as shown in FIG. 26 isdisplayed. When the desired start time has been reached, the terminalcontroller 9 informs that the operation of the laundry apparatus 4 willbe started at once. The user touches the “transmission” switch s261 whenthe operation may be started at once. When the operation should not bestarted at once, the user touches a “return” switch s262, returning tothe previous screen 61 to try the setting again. On the other hand, theterminal controller 9 transmits data of the changed desired finish timeto the laundry apparatus controller 17 when the current time has notpassed the start time or when the “transmission” switch s261 on thescreen 62 has been touched. As a result, the desired finish time thedata of which is stored by the laundry apparatus 4 is changed. Thelaundry apparatus controller 17 starts the operation of the laundryapparatus 4 at once when the current time has passed an operation starttime obtained by reverse calculation on the basis of the changed desiredfinish time.

A case will then be described where the operation control program hasbeen altered at the laundry apparatus 4 side. When the laundry apparatus4 is in operation according to the operation control program transmittedthereto from the terminal controller 9, an “internet course” displaysection 40 on the operation panel 14 of the laundry apparatus 4 as shownin FIG. 4 is lit. When the user uses any one of the switches 19 to 27 ofthe operation panel 14 to alter the operation control program in theabove-mentioned state, data indicating that the operation controlprogram has been altered and data of changed contents are transmitted tothe terminal controller 9. The terminal controller 9 then displays a“caution” screen 63 as shown in FIG. 27. The “caution” screen 63displays that the operation control program has been altered and thechanged contents. Data of the changed contents of the operation controlprogram is also transmitted to the server 2 at the same time. The server2 compares the changed contents with the previous operation controlprogram, thereby informing the user of caution when the caution isconsidered to arouse user's attention. The terminal controller 9displays the contents of caution on a lower part of the “caution” screen63, thereby arousing user's attention.

Laundry is carried out by the laundry system 1 in the above-describedmanipulation and operation. Consequently, the user can get an optimumeffect according to the clothes with simplified manipulation withoutrelying upon experience and intuition.

The present invention should not be limited by the foregoing embodimentand may be modified without departing from the scope thereof. Forexample, the server 2 may be informed of the type name and type numberof the laundry apparatus 4 when the terminal controller 9 transmitsmajor and minor groups of clothes to be washed and dried etc. to theserver 2 and receives a reply of the operation control program. Theserver 2 may then retrieve and determine an optimum operation controlprogram in view of the type name and type number. Consequently, a moreeffect may be achieved from laundry.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As obvious from the foregoing description, the laundry system inaccordance with the present invention has the advantage of setting anoptimum operating condition determined in consideration of types ofclothes, types of detergents, etc. without the user relying upon his orher experiences an intuition and is particularly suitable for ahousehold laundry system.

1. A laundry system comprising a terminal device and a laundryapparatus, the terminal device including: a display panel; an inputpanel; a first short-range communication device; a long-rangecommunication device; and a terminal device controller transmittinginformation about clothes as laundry and information about a laundryconstraint both set on the input panel, to a server connected to along-range communication network for providing laundry controlinformation, using the long-range communication device, therebyobtaining an operation control program for the laundry apparatus on thebasis of the two pieces of information, the terminal device controllertransmitting the obtained operation control program via the firstshort-range communication device to the laundry apparatus, the terminaldevice controller receiving via the first short-range communicationdevice information about an operating state of the laundry apparatus,displaying the information on the display panel; and the laundryapparatus including: an operation panel; a laundry unit; a secondshort-range communication device; and a laundry apparatus controllerreceiving the operation control program via the second short-rangecommunication device from the terminal device to control the laundryunit so that laundry is washed and/or dried, the laundry apparatuscontroller transmitting to the terminal device the information about theoperating state of the laundry apparatus via the second short-rangecommunication device.
 2. A laundry system according to claim 1, whereinthe terminal device controller obtains from the server a plurality ofmajor groups of clothes to be laundered to display the obtained majorgroups on the display panel, the terminal device controller obtainingfrom the server a plurality of minor groups of clothes belonging to aselected one of the main groups, displaying the obtained minor groups onthe display panel.
 3. A laundry system according to claim 2, wherein theterminal device controller obtains from the server a piece of guideinformation about laundry of clothes belonging to a selected one of theminor groups to display the obtained information on the display panel.4. A laundry system according to claim 3, wherein when two or more minorgroups are designated as laundry, the terminal device controller obtainsfrom the server an operation control program for the laundry apparatusin consideration of the two or more selected minor groups thereby totransfer the obtained operation control program to the laundryapparatus.
 5. A laundry system according to claim 3, wherein when two ormore minor groups are designated as laundry, the terminal devicecontroller obtains from the server a piece of information as to whetherit is appropriate for laundry of clothes belonging to the two or moreminor groups, together, thereby to display the obtained information onthe display panel.
 6. A laundry system according to claim 1, whereinwhen a “noise-reduced” course has been selected as the laundryconstraint, the terminal device controller obtains from the server theoperation control program taking the selected laundry constraint intoaccount, transferring the obtained operation control program to thelaundry apparatus.
 7. A laundry system according to claim 1, whereinwhen an “atopy care” course has been selected as the laundry constraint,the terminal device controller obtains from the server the operationcontrol program taking the selected laundry constraint into account,transferring the obtained operation control program to the laundryapparatus.
 8. A laundry system according to claim 1, wherein when a“detergent setting” course has been selected so that a detergent to beused has been designated, the terminal device controller obtains fromthe server the operation control program taking the selected laundryconstraint into account, transferring the obtained operation controlprogram to the laundry apparatus.
 9. A laundry system according to claim1, wherein the laundry apparatus controller notifies the terminal devicevia the first short-range communication device that a power supply ofthe laundry apparatus has been turned on, the terminal device confirmsthe notification and subsequently transmits the obtained operationcontrol program to the laundry apparatus controller.
 10. A laundrysystem according to claim 1, wherein when receiving via the input panelan instruction regarding addition of clothing, the terminal devicecontroller obtains from the server main and minor groups of clothes tobe allowed to be added, displaying the obtained groups on the displaypanel, and when minor groups of clothes to be added are instructed viathe input panel, the terminal device controller obtains from the serverthe operation control program taking addition of clothes into account,transmitting the obtained program to the laundry apparatus controller.11. A laundry system according to claim 1, wherein the terminal devicecontroller displays, on the display panel, a changeable item of theoperation control program which has been transferred to the laundryapparatus controller, and when a change has been instructed via theinput panel, the terminal device controller obtains from the server theoperation control program taking instructed contents into account,transmitting the obtained operation control program to the laundryapparatus.
 12. A laundry system according to claim 1, wherein whenhaving received an instruction regarding a laundry finish time via theinput panel, the terminal device controller transfers data of thelaundry finish time to the laundry apparatus controller.
 13. A laundrysystem according to claim 1, wherein when the operation panel of thelaundry apparatus has been operated so that contents of the operationcontrol program have been changed, the laundry apparatus controllertransfers the changed contents of the operation control program to theterminal controller and displays the changed contents of the operationcontrol program on the display panel.
 14. A laundry system according toany one of claims 1 to 8, 10 and 11, wherein the laundry apparatuscontroller transmits data of a model name of the laundry apparatus viathe first short-range communication device to the terminal device.
 15. Alaundry system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, 10 and 11, whereinthe terminal controller transmits data of a type number of the laundryapparatus to the server to obtain an operation control program takingthe transmitted data of the type number of the laundry apparatus intoaccount, instead of the previous operation control program.